Aboriginal Symbols Glossary

Many of the symbols used by Aboriginal artists are a variation of lines or dots. Similar symbols can have multiple meanings according to the art region and the elaborate combination of these can tell complex Dreamtime stories.

Aboriginal Symbols and their Meanings

Many of the symbols used by Aboriginal artists are a variation of lines or dots. Similar symbols can have multiple meanings according to the art region and the elaborate combination of these can tell complex Dreamtime stories.

Boomerang

Hunting Boomerang

The hunting boomerang is hand crafted by the Australian Aboriginal men into the shape of the number seven (7). The longer part of the boomerang is used as a handle and the shorter wing is extremly shapr. It is used by the men for hunting larger animals, such as Kangaroo, Emu). In ceremonies they are used as clapping sticks.

Campsite or Waterhole

Campsite

Concentric circles in Aboriginal artwroks can represent a camp site, meeting place or ceremonial site. These sites are culturally significant to Australian Aboriginal people living in Central Australia.

Coolamon

Digging or Clapping Sticks

Digging sticks are hand crafted wooden implements, sharpened at one end, which the Australian Aboriginaal women used to dig for edible bush tucker, like roots, tubers, honey ants, reptiles. In womens ceremonies they are used as clapping sticks.

Emu

This symbol depicted in Aboriginal artworks represents Emu tracks. The Australian Aboriginal men follow the tracks to hunt the Emu (large flight-less bird), which is a staple food and is used for bush medicine. In men's ceremonies the Emu feathers are used for body decoration.

Emu 2

This symbols depicted in Aboriginal artworks represents emu tracks. The Australian Aboriginal men follow these tracks to hunt the emu (large flight-less bird), which is a staple food source and is used for bush medicine. In men's ceremonies the emu feathers are used for body decoration. The sinews are used in hand crafting of tools and weapons.

Goanna

This symbol or icon represents the tracks of the goanna. Australian Aboriginal people hunt the goanna by following its tracks in the sand. The goanna and its eggs are a principal food source. There are many other ways this symbol is represented, depending on the artists region.

Hole or Cloud or Nest

Honey Ant

Honey ants are depicted in many Australian Aboriginal artworks from Central Australia. The Aboriginal women used digging sticks to dig deep into the sand and search for honey ants. The honey ants produce a honey like liquid in their abdomen, which is regarded as a special treat by Aboriginal people.

Honey Ant Site

This symbol depicts the tracks or journey path to the honey ants sites. At these sites the Australian Aboriginal women used digging sticks to dig out the honey ant nests from the sand. The honey ants produce a honey like liquid in their abdomen, which is regarded by Aboriginal people as a special treat.

Moving Kangaroo Tracks

Man

This symbol depicted represents a man with spear in Australian Aboriginal artworks. The spear is a handcrafted weapon the Aboriginal men used for hunting larger prey. This symbol depicted next to a U shaped icon , determines if it is a man or woman.

Man 2

This icon depicted represents a man with spear and woomera (spear thrower). These are handcrafted wooden weapons the Australian Aboriginal men used for hunting larger prey. This symbol depicted next to a U shpaed motif , determines if it is a man or woman.

Meeting Place

This symbol depicted in Australian Aboriginal artworks represents meeting place (concentric circle) and journey path (lines). A meeting place is cuturally a significant site for Aboriginal men and women. It is a place where they meet, gather around, sitting in a circle.

Snake

Spear

This symbol depicts two examples of a spear. The spears are handcrafted by the Australian Aboriginal men and used as weapons for hunting prey. The men heat the spears over fire or in hot ash to straighten or strengthen the wood.

Woomera

Yam Plant

This symbol depicts the yam plant and its extensive root system. It features in many Australian Aboriginal paintings from Central Australia. The bush yam is a staple food source gathered by the Aboriginal women. In cereonies the women pay homage tothe yam plant.

Important copyright notice

The Copyright of all images and documentation remains with Sabine Haider. The Australian Copyright Act protects all artists from unauthorised copying by giving control over original works of art to the artist by law. However depending on the use proposed, Sabine Haider from Central Art – Aboriginal Art Store can facilitate reproduction of works with the permission of the artist as we have developed close relationships over the years with many individual painters and craftspeople.

We work closely with the Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited (AAA), a non-profit company established to encourage positive outcomes for artists in copyright administration. Please contact us directly to discuss any reproduction matters.